Tiote: 'I Won't Change'

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Ivorian enforcer Cheick Tiote will return from his three-match domestic ban against Swansea on Saturday - but insists he won't change his style of play despite his costly red card against Sunderland last month.

Since the midfielder was shown a straight red card by Martin Atkinson at the Stadium of Light, Newcastle have won one, lost one and drawn one of their Barclays Premier League games.

But manager Alan Pardew - who recently warned Tiote about his disciplinary record - admitted United missed their "warrior" in the home defeat to West Ham last week and there's no doubt that his return against the Swans is a boost to the Magpies.

The player himself was too modest to link the disappointing reverse against West Ham to his absence when he spoke exclusively to nufc.co.uk ahead of his welcome comeback at the weekend.

However, he conceded: "If every player was in the team I think we'd have got a better result when the game was finished.

"But we have an important game against Swansea and I think we need to do everything to win this game because we're in a difficult moment at the moment and we have to do something about that.

"I think it's important to have a good reaction because we lost the last game but we've got a good mentality so I think everyone is ready to win the game.

"I'm happy to be back because I missed three games and for me it's important to be back and playing again.

"The referees now, they are looking at me so I have to be careful.

"But I will still stay the same player. I will play my football and I will help the team to go forward."

Tiote played for his country in a friendly against Austria in midweek and has maintained his match fitness with two European appearances against Club Brugge during his suspension, which did not apply to continental competition.

"I played 70 minutes for the Ivory Coast," he said. "I started the game, but after 70 minutes the manager took me off and I'm okay.

"During my suspension, I played some games in the Europa League and for my national team, so I feel good.

"I think if you stop playing it's difficult but I think everything is going to be okay for the game."

Tickets are still available for the Swansea match and there's a special offer running for the game - click here to find out more